Kural #630
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Tamil text
இன்னாமை இன்பம் எனக்கொளின்
ஆகுந்தன் ஒன்னார் விழையுஞ் சிறப்பு
Iṉṉāmai iṉpam eṉakkoḷiṉ
Ākuntaṉ oṉṉār viḻaiyuñ ciṟappu
English translation
If one regards suffering as pleasure, one will attain a greatness that even enemies will admire.
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Explanation
The chapter's magnificent conclusion: transform your perspective so completely that suffering (இன்னாமை) becomes pleasure (இன்பம்)! Such a person achieves சிறப்பு (excellence, distinction) that even enemies (ஒன்னார்) admire and desire (விழையும்). This is the highest form of mental mastery - turning adversity itself into opportunity for growth and glory.
விளக்கம்
துன்பத்தை இன்பமாகக் கருதினால், பகைவரும் போற்றும் சிறப்பு உண்டாகும். இது இடுக்கண் அழியாமை அதிகாரத்தின் கருத்து. கஷ்டங்களைச் சாதனையாக்கும் மனவலிமையே வெற்றி தரும்.
Word meanings
- இன்னாமைiṉṉāmaisuffering/adversity
- இன்பம்iṉpampleasure
- எனeṉaas
- கொளின்koḷiṉif one takes/regards
- ஆகும்ākumwill happen
- தன்taṉone's own
- ஒன்னார்oṉṉārenemies
- விழையும்viḻaiyumwill desire/admire
- சிறப்புciṟappugreatness/distinction
Story behind this kural
In a village nestled beside a parched desert, lived a potter named Kumar. His kiln, the source of his livelihood, cracked during a fierce sandstorm, leaving him with no way to fire his clay pots. The villagers whispered of his misfortune, expecting despair. Instead, Kumar smiled. He gathered the broken clay, shaping it into new, smaller pots, perfectly suited for the desert flowers that bloomed briefly after the rare rains. The smaller pots, though born of ruin, were delicate and beautiful. They became highly sought after by travelers. News of Kumar’s unexpected success reached the neighboring village, home to a rival potter, who had long envied Kumar's skills. He, too, attempted to replicate Kumar's success by intentionally breaking his own kiln. But his pots, crafted with resentment and envy, were rough and unattractive. The travelers still preferred Kumar's creations, born from acceptance and creativity.